Kansas Advances Wastewater Reuse Bill Amid Local Plant Improvements
Kansas lawmakers are progressing House Bill 2462 to establish regulations for treated wastewater as drinking water by July 2028. Meanwhile, the city of Lawrence is completing upgrades to its Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will improve nutrient removal from discharged water.

House Bill 2462 mandates the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to create rules for direct and indirect reuse of treated wastewater for drinking purposes by July 1, 2028. Lawrence officials reported no immediate plans for wastewater reclamation, although the city reuses treated water for non-drinking purposes, such as irrigation and plant maintenance.
Improvements at the Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant, costing $74.4 million, are nearing completion, enhancing the facility's ability to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in effluent. These changes aim to mitigate environmental impacts from nutrient runoff. As demand for water recycling grows, particularly in western Kansas, the bill's passage could influence local water strategies.




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